National Guard members to keep helping

July 01, 2007|By Scott Waltman, American News Writer

South Dakota National Guard members helping with the Aberdeen cleanup effort aren't leaving anytime soon. Troops will pitch in as long as they're needed, said Freddie Robinson, public information officer for the flood cleanup effort. He said the faces might change, but Guard members will keep helping. Stuart Nelson, assistant city engineer, said three teams each with nine National Guard troops have been using equipment the city contracted to use to pick up flood-damaged items from in front of homes in Aberdeen. Today, Nelson said, those three teams will be joined by a smaller crew from the city forestry office. On Thursday, crews finished picking up most debris between Sixth Avenue South and Eighth Avenue North, Nelson said. Exceptions were Fifth Street to the west, State Street to the west and Sixth Avenue near the railroad tracks. Work on that area, which includes downtown, will begin today. Nelson said crews also will pick up trash today from north of Eighth Avenue. The cleanup effort will continue through the weekend and as long as needed. The city's contract for the loaders and trucks being used through runs through the end of today, Robinson said. Nelson said details are still being worked out, but some of those contracts will probably be extended. He said Brown County will also help out, lending dump trucks and loaders. Robinson said that the cleanup effort is only for items damaged by floodwaters. It's not the same as the city's regular trash pickup, nor is it for the people who just want to get rid of items that weren't harmed by water. He said one crew picked up some plastic lawn chairs. Such items can be taken to the landfill or otherwise disposed of.